what can I expect on the route of the Bryan Chapman?

[Ian H]

It was my first ever 600 back in 1993.  I still think of it as a good beginners' ride. 

[Ajax Bay]

Besides Alex B's short video embedded in his report/blog (https://ctccambridge.org.uk/blog/2016/05/14-may-bryan-chapman-memorial-600km see his post above) which shows one of the sharp climbs NW of Llanidloes, Adam Watkins made one that year too which will give you a very good 'feel' for the ride, albeit he is up the front end  (think <100 hour LEL completion types) - link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyotlUgS8FM Inter alia gives you an insight to the fantastic hills over to Machynlleth, the turning and intial steep bit up to Kings, the set up in the YH, Barmouth bridge, "Ticket! ticket!", [Edit - thank you, @Jasmine] Telford's suspension bridge across the Menai Strait, and much more (including overnight cold). I notice he stopped outside video features) @Flatus 's Spar at Carno (closed at 3am!), before Aberhafesp.
The video of the Rapha riders' Bryan Chapman 'tribute' ride (NB in March) is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8GoL8UzIj0 for more situational awareness.
Alex B refers to wilkyboy's 2013 ride report http://www.16inchwheels.uk/2013/05/18/bcm-2013/ which is (he says) a rewrite of his post on yacf http://www.16inchwheels.uk/2013/05/18/bcm-2013/ in a thread which stretched to 38 pages: required reading (NB '600' route has changed).

It was my first ever 600 back in 1993.  I still think of it as a good beginners' ride.

And you rode it again 24 years later. A good middle-agers ride too then.

[Somnolent]

Also required reading on matters Bryan Chapman is Von Broad's epic tale:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43334.msg943411#msg943411

[mattc]

Also required reading on matters Bryan Chapman is Von Broad's epic tale:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43334.msg943411#msg943411

Is that forge on the new route?

[Ian H]

And you rode it again 24 years later. A good middle-agers ride too then.

I was middle-aged the first time round.

[Jasmine]

Brunel's suspension bridge

Where's that? 

[mattc]

IIRC there is quite a nice one on the way to the start (if you come through West Bristol-ish).

[Somnolent]

Arguable even that one can fairly be attributed to Brunel.
[/pedant]

[Aunt Maud]

Hat and gloves, and put your clothes on for the descent down to Llanberis.

[whosatthewheel]

Hat and gloves, and put your clothes on for the descent down to Llanberis.

good descent that

[Ian H]

Hat and gloves, and put your clothes on for the descent down to Llanberis.

good descent that

The first few times I rode, it went the other way, up from Llanberis.

[whosatthewheel]

Hat and gloves, and put your clothes on for the descent down to Llanberis.

good descent that

The first few times I rode, it went the other way, up from Llanberis.

Good climb that!   

[Jurek]

Also required reading on matters Bryan Chapman is Von Broad's epic tale:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43334.msg943411#msg943411

Epic read.

[whosatthewheel]

Also required reading on matters Bryan Chapman is Von Broad's epic tale:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=43334.msg943411#msg943411

Epic read.

I enjoyed that too... a modern version of the famous tale of Eugene Christophe

[Ajax Bay]

Is that forge on the new route?

He didn't make it to the 'forge' (blacksmith's), the welding was done at a garage.
But, yes, Rhayader is on the route, at 117km. Good bike shop (and the one @Von Broad went to first) just to the west of the main crossroads. This year, with a parted front derailleur cable (at 65km at the top of the hill down to Talgarth), Clive Powell Bikes http://www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk/ sold me a new cable and a coffee, provided a cable cutter, and 15 minutes later, I was back on my way with all 3 rings operational again.

[Kim]

+1 for Clive Powell sorting me out with a gear cable (in loaded touring mode, rather than audax).  On a Sunday afternoon, no less.

Indeed, I suspect I stopped at Von Braud's garage to ask if there was a bike shop nearby.

[wilkyboy]

The only tip you need is to get in your granny ring BEFORE turning left to the youth hostel!

This.  Absolutely this 

And the cold — something like 2°C trying to get 30 minutes' shut-eye at the bus stop before the Trawsfynydd climb on the return to Kings, both times I rode it.

[wilkyboy]

... - and it can be avoided by following the NCN route through Hafren Forest.  A few extra km but a delightfully quiet road and fabulous views across the lake near the top.  Osprey nest viewpoint too, if you are into such things.

I rode through there on the Bearbones 200 in October and it appears they've removed the Osprey-watching hide, which was there on WRT 200 in May.

[wilkyboy]

O, and unless you're a fast girl, don't expect a bed at the YHA. Book somewhere else if you want to be sure of a bed.

Is there anywhere else?!  And I thought the girls got a better deal than the boys, since there are almost as many beds, but fewer people to fill them.

My first time (2013) I slept on the floor in the common room due to lack of boy-beds — the icy draft between the floor boards kept me awake until someone vacated the sofa and I could get 30 minutes without freezing my n?ts off.

[alotronic]

Here's my take on BCM from last year; full value, 45 mins sleep... I think this will be the route for this year.

https://audaxery.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/bryan-chapman-was-a-nice-man-who-must-have-liked-hills-a-lot/

Certainly a great ride worth doing... Best thing I did was a few early season hilly 200s and 300s to prepare. I took a 28 x 32 bottom gear and used it maybe twice, if only to make sure I was not busting a gut. 34 x 32 would probably just be ok for a normalish Audaxer.

[whosatthewheel]

Here's my take on BCM from last year; full value, 45 mins sleep... I think this will be the route for this year.

https://audaxery.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/bryan-chapman-was-a-nice-man-who-must-have-liked-hills-a-lot/

Certainly a great ride worth doing... Best thing I did was a few early season hilly 200s and 300s to prepare. I took a 28 x 32 bottom gear and used it maybe twice, if only to make sure I was not busting a gut. 34 x 32 would probably just be ok for a normalish Audaxer.

Very nice write up, thanks for that

[dave d]

The account of my 2017 BCM was published in the last Arrivee, but happy to post a copy here if anyone wants it.

Arriving at 02:30 at Kings, I was allowed 90 mins sleep wheras my female companion was given no limit.  We had looked at alternatives beforehand, but couldn't seem to find anything reasonably cheap and convenient.